Local

Why flags are flying at half-staff, half-mast in Ohio today?

Jason Aldean performs with the U.S. flag as a background during a song at Raleigh, N.C.’s Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Friday night, Aug. 11, 2023.
Jason Aldean performs with the U.S. flag as a background during a song at Raleigh, N.C.’s Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Friday night, Aug. 11, 2023. ssharpe@newsobserver.com

In response to the death of Pearl Harbor Day, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of U.S., Ohio to be flown at half-staff in the state until Nov. 29.

Pearl Harbor Day

Thursday is the anniversary of the attack that sparked the U.S. involvement in World War II.

Pearl Harbor Day is marked to remember the more than 2,300 servicemen killed.

What does half-staff mean?

When a flag is lowered to the middle of the pole, it remembers a sorrowful event or anniversary that impacted the public.

Half-staff always refers to the lowering of a flag. In contrast, half-mast refers to naval ships, according to the Naval History blog and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

When flags are ordered to be lowered at half-staff, they should stay at that designated height for 30 days unless the order specifies a sooner date.

When are flags lowered throughout the year?

Flags on public building throughout the United States are routinely flying at half-staff on these additional dates:

May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff all day)

Sept. 11 - Patriot Day (half-staff all day)

First Sunday in October - Fallen Fighters Fallen Firefighters (half-staff all day)

Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff all day)

Read Next
Read Next
Read Next
Read Next

CONNECT WITH US

WEB SITE ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com

DAILY NEWS EMAIL ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com/customer-service/newsletter-signup/

FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/mahoningmatters

TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/mahoningmatters

YOUTUBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@mahoningmatters2814

INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/mahoningmatters

SUPPORT US ► https://givebutter.com/vNfzEW

This story was originally published December 7, 2023 at 8:33 AM with the headline "Why flags are flying at half-staff, half-mast in Ohio today?."